This decision is yours alone and we know you will not take it lightly and will have explored every alternative before approaching us to help with rehoming your much-loved pet.
We are not here to judge your reasons for parting with your dog - but we are here to work with you to put your dog’s welfare and needs first and see that these continue to be met in the kind of home you would wish for them. If you are seriously considering rehoming your Labrador please take a moment to read the following information below to answer some of the questions that you may have.
We will support you through the early days following your decision to entrust us with the care and rehoming of your dog. Our Rehoming Team will contact you to outline the way we work and to invite you to tell us as much as possible about your Labrador and its needs. As well as all the good things you will want us to know about, we appreciate that your dog may perhaps have some quirky traits or challenging characteristics and it’s in your and your dog’s best interests that you are open and honest and tell us about those too so that we can find the best home possible to suit the needs of your dog.
Owners whose dogs have significant behavioural issues are strongly advised to arrange to have their pet checked by their own vet and, where necessary, assessed by a qualified behaviourist who can provide a written report, management plan and, where necessary, ongoing support. Your vet may be able to guide you towards a properly qualified behaviourist. The Animal Behaviour and Training Council website also lists appropriately assessed behavioural practitioners able to offer training and behaviour programmes which are science-led, compassionate and use kind methods and equipment.
It is only when you are certain of your decision and have informed us that you wish to go ahead that we will make preparatory arrangements with you for your dog to be received into our care at the boarding kennels or Foster Homes that we use.
Whether they go to the kennels or foster home you can be reassured that your dog will have the benefit of:
- An individual, heated kennel and run
- Enrichment toys/activities
- Veterinary assessment and treatment where necessary
- A safe and secure environment
Our Rehoming Team will work to ensure that your dog’s stay in kennels is as short as possible but this will necessarily involve a period of settling and adjustment so that a measured behavioural assessment can be undertaken.
We will encourage you to bring your dog into kennels or the foster home yourself, because experience has shown us that your dog will find it less stressful to be in your company on the journey and you may also find it reassuring to know where and by whom your pet is going to be cared for whilst they await rehoming.
As a small, registered charity manned wholly by unpaid volunteers, we are entirely reliant on donations to be able to continue our work to help Labradors who need them find new homes.
This is why you may be asked to make an affordable donation to help us fund the first week’s kennelling costs for your dog. Further kennelling or other costs that may arise during your dog’s stay whilst we work to find the best home for them, will be met by the charity.
You will also be asked to read and sign a relinquishing form.
We do also ask for a £150 relinquishing fee towards the charity - we are a small charity, run solely by volunteers and every penny we receive goes towards care and funding for the dogs we rehome, foster, sponsor and contribute vets fees for.
You can be assured that our Rehoming Team will undertake careful matching and home check processes to ensure your dog is placed in the kind of home that you would wish for it. The team will also undertake initial follow-up once your dog has been rehomed and Labrador Welfare will provide back up support for the rest of your dog’s natural life.
We understand you may wish to contact us to find out how your dog is. If you do choose to contact us, we will gladly update you while your dog remains in our care to give you peace of mind that your dog is happy and looking forward to settling into its new home.
